Chapter 59

I pulled into the driveway and shook the numbness into my hands from gripping the steering wheel too hard. I checked the time and it read 00:12, I sighed already picturing Dan pacing up and down because I came in late.

The mansion lights were on, all of them. Why does it seem like everyone is waiting for me? It feels like an interrogation room waiting for me. I sat in the car for a few seconds longer, breathing through the tightness in my chest, one hand drifting instinctively to my stomach.

“I’m okay,” I whispered. “We’re okay.”

The moment I stepped inside, I knew I have messed up.

Dan stood in the living room, jacket off, sleeves rolled up, posture stiff and controlled in that way that shows he is anything but calm.

He looked up the second the door closed behind me. His eyes swept over me, my coat, my face, my shaking hands and something sharp flickered there before he buried it.

“You were gone for a very a long time,” he said evenly.

I dropped my keys onto the table. The sound echoed loudly, my stepmother is probably listening to us.

“I needed air.” His jaw tightened, he knows there’s more than that. “You need to think before you disappear like that. You’re pregnant, Emerald.” He said in a soft warning voice, nothing annoys me like that voice. He acts like his come but in reality he is angry and controlling.

“I know,” I snapped. “I’m painfully aware of that.” He exhaled slowly, clearly trying to rein himself in.

“I’m not trying to control you. I’m trying to protect you. Both of you.”

“And what about me protecting myself?” My voice shook despite my effort to stay strong and not cry for no reason. “Or my sanity?”

He rubbed his face and sighed, then looked at me again. “Where did you go?”I swallowed not sure if telling the truth will be the right time now. “I found Anna.”

The room went still, Dan blinked once, like he hadn’t heard me properly. Then his mouth pressed into a thin line. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking.” He shook his head immediately. “No. Emerald. Anna is dead.”

“She’s alive.”

“She was shot,” he said firmly. “I was there. She was buried. I stood at her grave.”

“And I stood in front of her tonight,” I shot back. “She spoke to me, she’s breathing.”

“You’re exhausted,” he said, softer now. “You’ve been through too much. Trauma does things to the mind.” Anger flared hot and fast. “Do not tell me I imagined this.”

“I’m telling you what makes sense.”

“What makes sense?” I laughed bitterly. “Because none of our lives have made sense for a long time, Dan.” He stepped closer to me, so close our hands were practically touching.

“You saw someone who looked like her. Your mind filled in the rest.” He has the audacity to tell me such things while looking straight into my eyes.

“No.” I shook my head violently. “Can you stop acting like i’m crazy? it’s annoying and downgrading.”I asked him my hands shaking from anger and tiredness. He looked back at me as if the truth of what I am saying is written on my face.

Silence stretched between us as we stood staring at one another, a voice suddenly spoke at the doorway.

“Of course she knew.” I whipped my head around expecting my annoying stepmother but another version of her. Victoria stood there, perfectly composed, arms crossed, eyes sharp and unreadable.

Dan frowned. “Mom?”

She walked in slowly, heels clicking against the floor. “Emerald has always been sensitive. Perceptive. Some would say… open.” Are we really doing this in the middle of the fucking night? with her?

My skin prickled in anger fighting to urge to throw her out. “Open to what? Victoria’s gaze locked onto mine. “To the dead.”

Dan stiffened. “What are you talking about?”

“You saw a ghost,” Victoria said calmly, as if she were commenting on the weather. “A spirit that hasn’t crossed over.” I stared at her. “That’s not funny.”

“I’m not joking,” she replied, mirroring. Dan’s earlier tone almost perfectly.

My pulse began to race. “You expect me to believe I hallucinated an entire conversation?”

“I expect you to believe,” Victoria said coolly, “that some souls linger. Especially those who died violently. Especially those who were loyal.” She continued still staring at me with an observant look, she probably wishes the roles were reversed. She’s constantly thirsty for power and magic.

Dan turned to her. “Mom, stop.”

“She has the gift,” Victoria continued, unfazed. “It runs in certain bloodlines.”

I felt sick. “You’re trying to gaslight me.” I said feeling myself boiling with anger. I have been accused of so many things tonight I didn’t expect this to be one of them.

“I’m trying to explain what you experienced.”

“No,” I said sharply. “You’re trying to make me doubt myself because it’s easier than admitting something is very wrong.”

Dan stepped between us slightly. “Enough. Both of you.” I looked at him, searching his face for any sign anything that he believed me even a little. But all I saw was concern mixed with disbelief.

“You really think I’d risk the baby chasing ghosts?” I asked quietly. His shoulders sagged just a fraction. “I think you’re scared.”

“Of what?” I half shouted and laughed in disbelief. “Even if I was scared of anything, why should I be delusional?”

Victoria tilted her head. “Fear weakens the barrier between worlds.” What the hell is this woman talking about?

“Get out of my room,” I snapped. Her eyebrow lifted, probably taken back by my fierceness. “This is my son’s house.”

“And I am his wife,” I shot back. “And I’m asking you to leave.” Dan glanced at his mother. “Mom, please.”

For a moment, I thought she might argue. Instead, she smiled faintly. “Make sure you have a good night sleep tonight, rest.” she said without breaking the eye contact.

She turned and left, the door closed behind her. Dan reached for me, then hesitated. “I don’t want to dismiss what you felt.”

“But you already did.”

“I don’t know what I believe yet,” he admitted. “But I know this, you can’t go running off alone again.”

I pulled away. “Anna is alive. I know it.”

“And if she’s not?” he asked quietly.

“Then why am I so sure?” I whispered.

He had no answer. I placed his hand over my stomach. Right on cue, the baby kicked strong, undeniable.

“Anna is alive, I can prove it to you and your mother.”